U.S. patent number 7,533,852 [Application Number 10/814,478] was granted by the patent office on 2009-05-19 for retaining clip with offset latching fingers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Newfrey LLC. Invention is credited to Mario Stigler.
United States Patent |
7,533,852 |
Stigler |
May 19, 2009 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Retaining clip with offset latching fingers
Abstract
The holding clip (1) according to the invention, for
simultaneous fastening of a plurality of approximately
parallel-running, elongate articles (2) to a structure, in
particular for the fastening of lines, pipes or cables, having a
base part (3), in which receivers (8) for the elongate articles (2)
are formed, having at least one partition (4, 4') between two such
receivers 8, which comprises a front side (12) and a rear side
(11), wherein there are provided for securing the elongate articles
(2) in the receivers (8) at least one first latching finger (5) at
the front side (12) and at least one second latching finger (6) at
the rear side (11) of the partition (4, 4'), is characterized in
that the width BR of each latching finger is smaller than the width
BZ of the partition (4, 4') and the first latching finger (5) is
arranged offset relative to the second latching finger (6) in such
a way that no overlapping occurs. The laterally offset latching
fingers (5, 6) allow a particularly compact style of construction
of the retaining clip (1), which makes it possible to mount a
plurality of articles in the retaining clip (1) simultaneously
without the retaining clip (1) being substantially spread, with the
result that the fastening of a plurality of articles is enabled in
a simple manner.
Inventors: |
Stigler; Mario (Schoffengrund,
DE) |
Assignee: |
Newfrey LLC (Newark,
DE)
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Family
ID: |
7698234 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/814,478 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050001108 A1 |
Jan 6, 2005 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/EP02/10008 |
Sep 6, 2002 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 7, 2001 [DE] |
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101 44 153 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/65; 24/555;
24/561; 248/68.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
3/223 (20130101); B60R 16/0215 (20130101); F16B
5/0685 (20130101); F16B 7/0433 (20130101); Y10T
24/44906 (20150115); Y10T 24/44855 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
3/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;248/65,68.1,74.2,49,346.5,230.7,316.7,231.21,231.81
;24/555,556,561,562,564 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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569297 |
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Nov 1993 |
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EP |
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0 683 343 |
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Nov 1995 |
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EP |
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2 609 507 |
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Jul 1988 |
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FR |
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09-317946 |
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Dec 1997 |
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JP |
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2002-235872 |
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Aug 2002 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Wujciak, III; A. Joseph
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce,
P.L.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a continuation of pending international
patent application PCT/EP02/10008 filed on Sep. 6, 2002 which
designates the United States and was published in German, and which
claims priority of German patent application 101 44 153.3 filed
Sep. 7, 2001.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. Retaining clip for simultaneous fastening of a plurality of
approximately parallel-running, elongate articles to a structure,
having a base part, wherein the base part having a top side, bottom
side, end sides, front side and rear side, comprising receivers for
retaining the elongate articles, having first and second extending
upwardly and generally parallel partitions mounted on top side of
the base part and between two receivers, wherein the receivers
having U-shaped extending from front side and rear side of the base
part; and at least one first latching finger coupled to the first
partition at one side facing toward to one of the receivers
adjacent the front side and at least one second latching finger
coupled to the second partition at the other side facing toward to
the other receiver adjacent rear side of the receiver; wherein the
width of the first and second latching fingers are smaller than the
width of the first and second partitions and the first latching
finger is arranged offset relative to the second latching finger in
such a way that no overlapping occurs between the first latching
finger and the second latching finger on the partitions, wherein an
elbow is disposed between the first and second partitions, the
elbow having a length about the length of the first and second
partitions and defining an aperture therethrough, and wherein on
both sides of each of the partitions are two or more vertically
offset latching fingers disposed therein.
2. Retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the
first latching finger is arranged laterally offset relative to the
second latching finger at a distance of 5 to 20% of the width of
the partitions.
3. Retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the
first and second partitions has an opening in the form of a
slot.
4. Retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the
ratio of the width of an individual latching finger to the width of
the partition is between 1:4 and 1:2.
5. Retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized by outer
walls, which for securing the elongate articles have at least one
latching finger.
6. Retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized by outer
walls, which are reinforced by reinforcing structures.
7. Retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the
retaining clip is made of elastic plastics material.
8. Retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the
first latching finger is arranged laterally offset relative to the
second latching finger at a distance of 10 to 15% of the width of
the partitions.
9. Retaining clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the
ratio of the width of an individual latching finger to the width of
the partitions is approximately 2:5.
10. Retaining clip for simultaneous fastening of a plurality of
approximately parallel-running, elongate articles to a structure
comprising: a base part having front side, rear side, end sides,
top side and bottom side, comprising a plurality of u-shaped
receivers extending between the front side and rear side of the
base part for retaining the elongate articles, each receiver having
at least one partition between two such receivers, each partition
having a front and a rear surfaces and having at least one first
pair of latching fingers at the front surface and at least one pair
of second latching fingers at the rear surface of the partition;
wherein the width of each latching finger is smaller than the width
of the partition and the first pair of latching fingers are
arranged offset to the second pair of lactching fingers in such a
way that no overlapping occurs between the first pair of latching
fingers and the second pair of latching fingers on the partition,
and wherein the first pair of latching fingers are arranged
laterally offset relative to the second pair of latching fingers at
a distance of 5 to 20% of the width of the partition and wherein
both sides of the partition comprise two or more vertically offset
latching fingers disposed respectively on each side, said partition
further comprises a first offset portion and a second offset
portion disposed on the top side of the base part and wherein the
first offset portion is disposed adjacent front side of the base
part and the second offset portion is disposed adjacent rear side
of the base part, the first and second offset partitions being
connected by an elbow along full sides of the first and second
partitions.
11. A retaining clip according to claim 10, wherein the partitions
have an opening therebetwwen in the form of a slot.
12. A retaining clip according to claim 10, wherein the ratio of
the width of an individual latching finger to the width of the
partition is between 1:4 and 1:2.
13. A retaining clip according to claim 10, comprising outer walls,
having at least one latching finger.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a retaining clip for fastening a plurality
of approximately parallel-running, elongate articles to a
structure, in particular for fastening lines, pipes or cables,
having a base part, in which receivers for the elongate articles
are formed, having at least one partition between two such
receivers, which comprises a front side and a rear side, wherein
there are provided for securing the elongate articles in the
receivers at least one first latching finger at the front side and
at least one second latching finger at the rear side of the
partition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The known retaining clips are used in particular to fasten brake
lines and cables in motor vehicles in a simple and inexpensive
manner. By means of blocking fingers an unintentional detachment of
the articles as a result of shaking or vibrations is prevented. The
blocking fingers allow only a movement of the article in the
assembly direction, while blocking a movement in the opposite
direction. They offer only a slight resistance when the article is
introduced in the assembly direction, and represent a considerable
obstacle when the article is to be removed counter to assembly
direction. Because the technology has been known for years, such
clips are comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.
Known retaining clips however have the following drawbacks:
On the one hand, opposing blocking fingers have to be arranged a
specific minimum distance apart from one another in order to allow
the article to be fixed to pass through with sufficient ease. In
the case of multiple receivers, said minimum distances add up and
result in the retaining clip taking up a relatively large amount of
space.
On the other hand, the retaining clip widens when an article is to
be introduced. As the article is introduced, the latching fingers
are compressed, causing spreading of the retaining clip. This is
very disadvantageous especially when a plurality of articles are to
be introduced simultaneously, particularly in one working step,
into the retaining clip because the extra space needed adds up.
Because of the deformation of the retaining clip a simultaneous
introduction of a plurality of articles is difficult or impossible.
The spreading is particularly pronounced when the retaining clip is
of a compact design.
With known retaining clip geometries the only choice available was
between two disadvantageous variants. Either the retaining clip had
large distances between the blocking fingers, in which case the
spreading was admittedly slight but the retaining clip was very
large. Or the retaining clip was provided with minimal distances
between the blocking fingers, in which case the retaining clip
admittedly took up little room but the spreading during
introduction of the articles was so great that a simultaneous
introduction of a plurality of articles was difficult or
impossible.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a
particularly compact retaining clip, which during the simultaneous
insertion of a plurality of articles takes up only a small amount
of extra space and/or presents only slight spreading.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Said object is achieved by a retaining clip according to the
invention in accordance with the features of claim 1. Further
developments, which may occur individually or in combination, are
the subject matter of the sub-claims.
The retaining clip according to the invention for, in particular,
simultaneous fastening of a plurality of approximately
parallel-running, elongate articles to a structure, in particular
for the fastening of lines, pipes or cables, having a base part, in
which receivers for the elongate articles are formed, having at
least one partition between two such receivers, which comprises a
front side and a rear side, wherein there are provided for securing
the elongate articles in the receivers at least one first latching
finger at the front side and at least one second latching finger at
the rear side of the partition, is characterised in that the width
of each latching finger is smaller than the width of the partition
and the first latching finger is arranged offset relative to the
second latching finger in such a way that no overlapping
arises.
The effect achieved by the laterally offset arrangement of the
latching fingers is that the latching fingers have to spring back
only at one side of the partition. By virtue of the offset
arrangement of adjacent latching fingers the widening of the
retaining clip during the simultaneous introduction of a plurality
of articles is reduced. In particular, a portion of the spreading
of the retaining clip is converted into a rotational motion of the
individual partitions, which has an advantageous effect upon the
extra spatial requirement of the retaining clip. The arrangement
according to the invention of the latching fingers allows the
arrangement of more latching fingers, which leads to greater
security.
With the aid of the base part the retaining clip is fastened in a
manner known per se to a structure, for example in the field of
vehicle manufacture, to the body of a vehicle. The elongate
articles are grasped by the receiver and secured against
unintentional detachment with the aid of the latching fingers. With
the aid of the partitions a plurality of articles may be held by
the same retaining clip.
In an advantageous development of the retaining clip according to
the invention, the first latching finger is arranged laterally
offset relative to the second latching finger. By virtue of the
lateral arrangement an advantageous rotational movement of the
partition is effected during introduction of the articles. The
distance between the two latching fingers is advantageously 5 to
20% of the width of the partition, preferably 10 to 15% of the
width of the partition. The effect achieved by the distance between
the two adjacent latching fingers is that two adjacent latching
fingers have only a slight influence upon one another and so an
unnecessary spreading of the retaining clip during the introduction
of a plurality of articles into the respective receivers is
avoided.
In a further advantageous development of the retaining clip
according to the invention, the partition wall is elbowed between
the offset latching fingers. By virtue of the elbow, an adequate
amount of space is provided for yielding of a latching finger
during introduction. The elbow, on the one hand, reduces the size
of the retaining clip because the depth of the elbow may be
utilised twice, by two latching fingers, and, on the other hand,
reduces the spreading of the retaining clip during introduction
because the latching fingers may disappear in the elbow during
introduction of the articles.
In a special development of the invention, the partition has an
opening, in particular a slot. By virtue of the opening, in
particular the slot, adjacent latching fingers are substantially
independent of one another. The effect thereby achieved is that the
retaining clip acquires extra elasticity, which manifests itself in
a lower resistance in the assembly direction when the articles are
introduced. The ability of the latching fingers to secure the
articles against unintentional detachment remains unaffected
thereby.
In a preferred development of the invention, on both sides of the
partition in each case two or more vertically offset latching
fingers are disposed. By virtue of the arrangement of a plurality
of vertically offset latching fingers, additional security against
detachment of the articles from the receiver is achieved. Even if
an individual latching finger is no longer capable of fulfilling
its function, others are available to prevent detachment.
According to the invention, the ratio of the width of an individual
latching finger to the width of the partition is advantageously
between 1:4 and 1:2, in particular the ratio is approximately 2:5.
Said ratio advantageously maximises the retaining ability of the
latching fingers, with the proviso of minimal spreading of the
retaining clip during the simultaneous introduction of a plurality
of articles.
According to the invention, the retaining clip has outer walls,
which for securing the elongate articles comprise at least one
latching finger. The outer walls therefore perform a similar
retaining function to the partitions.
The outer walls are advantageously provided with reinforcing
structures. During introduction of the articles the reinforcing
structures counteract a widening of the retaining clip in that they
compel the latching fingers to deform elastically to a greater
extent. Despite such a reduction of the spreading of the retaining
clip, simultaneous introduction of a plurality of articles is made
possible by virtue of the arrangement according to the invention of
the retaining fingers.
The retaining clip according to the invention is advantageously
made of elastic material, in particular of plastics material. With
the aid of a plastic injection moulding technique retaining clips
according to the invention are simple and inexpensive to
manufacture.
Further details and advantageous developments, which may arise
individually or in combination, are described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. The drawings are intended, not to limit the
invention, but merely to clarify it by means of an example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining clip according to the
invention; and
FIG. 2 is a sectional inverted-plan view of the retaining clip
according to FIG. 1 along the line II-II.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a retaining clip 1 according to the invention in a
perspective view obliquely from above. The retaining clip 1
according to the invention comprises a base part 3, which may be
fastened by a base part receiver 10 to a structure (not shown).
Fastened to the base part 3 are outer walls 7, 7' and partitions 4,
4', which each form receivers 8 for articles 2 which are to be
fastened. The partitions 4, 4' have latching fingers 5, 5', 6, 6',
which point in the direction of the respective receivers 8. With
the aid of the latching fingers 5, 5', 6, 6' an article 2 situated
in the receiver 8 is secured against unintentional detachment.
The partitions 4, 4' each have a front side 12 and a rear side 11.
On the front side 12 first latching fingers 5, 5' and on the rear
side 11 second latching fingers 6, 6' are provided. Adjacent
latching fingers 5 and 6 and/or 5' and 6' are arranged laterally
offset so--viewed from the longitudinal direction of the retaining
clip 1--there is no overlapping, which would take up space
unnecessarily. The partitions 4, 4' on their respective sides have
two vertically offset latching fingers 6, 6' and/or 5, 5'
respectively, which provide additional security against
unintentional detachment of the article.
The partitions 4, 4' are elbowed between the offset latching
fingers 5, 6 and/or 5', 6'. The elbow on the one hand provides the
latching fingers 5, 6 with enough space to yield when the articles
are introduced and on the other hand reduces the required minimum
size of the retaining clip 1.
The outer walls 7, 7' have reinforcing structures 9, which reduce
an upward bending of the side walls 7, 7'. The vertical offset H
between the latching fingers 5 and 5' and/or between 6 and 6'
corresponds approximately to the diameter of the article, which is
to be fastened and retained in the receiver 8. The retaining clip 1
is made of elastic and particularly robust plastics material.
FIG. 2 shows the retaining clip 1 according to FIG. 1 in a
sectional inverted-plan view along the line II-II. The article 2
(shown by dots) is held in a receiver 8, which is formed by a
partition 4' and an outer wall 7'. The partition 4', 4 has a front
side 12 and a rear side 11. On the front side 12 first latching
fingers 5 and on the rear side 11 second latching fingers 6 are
fastened. With the aid of the latching fingers 5, 6 the article 2
is secured against unintentional detachment from the receiver
8.
The partitions 4, 4' are elbowed, wherein the depth T of the elbow
corresponds approximately to the material thickness of the latching
fingers 5, 6. During introduction of the article 2 the elbow 14
provides the latching finger 5, 6 with enough space to yield upon
elastic deformation of the latching finger 5, 6. The elbow moreover
offers a saving of space for the retaining clip 1. The ratio of the
width BR of the individual latching fingers 5, 6 to the width BZ of
the partition 4, 4' is approximately 2:5.
The outer walls 7, 7' have reinforcing structures 9, by means of
which an extra stiffness of the outer walls 7, 7' is achieved. The
effect of the extra stiffness is that, when a plurality of articles
2 are simultaneously introduced, the latching fingers 5, 6 are
plastically deformed to a greater extent and so space is saved,
and/or spreading is reduced.
When a plurality of articles 2 are simultaneously introduced into
the retaining clip 1 according to the invention, widening of the
retaining clip 1 is reduced as a result of the offset arrangement
of the latching fingers 5, 6 because a portion of the widening is
converted into a rotational motion of the partitions 4, 4'. A
further portion of the widening is taken up by the latching fingers
5, 6, which as a result of the elbow have enough room to yield.
To increase the elasticity of the partition 4, 4', openings 13 are
provided in the partition 4, 4'. The effect of the openings 13 is
that the first latching fingers 5 are to a greater extent
independent of the second latching fingers 6, thereby making it
easier to introduce a plurality of articles 2. The distance A
between the first latching finger 5 and the second latching finger
6 is preferably 10 to 15% of the width BZ of the partition 4, 4'.
The outer walls 7, 7' also have a retaining function in that they
each have one latching finger 5, 6.
The holding clip 1 according to the invention, for, in particular,
simultaneous fastening of a plurality of approximately
parallel-running, elongate articles to a structure (not shown), in
particular for the fastening of lines, pipes or cables, having a
base part 3, in which receivers 8 for the elongate articles 2 are
formed, having at least one partition 4, 4' between two such
receivers 8, which comprises a front side 12 and a rear side 11,
wherein there are provided for securing the elongate articles 2 in
the receivers 8 at least one first latching finger 5 at the front
side 12 and at least one second latching finger 6 at the rear side
11 of the partition 4, 4', is characterised in that the width BR of
each latching finger is smaller than the width BZ of the partition
4, 4' and the first latching finger 5 is arranged offset relative
to the second latching finger 6 in such a way that no overlapping
occurs. The laterally offset latching fingers 5, 6 allow a
particularly compact style of construction of the retaining clip 1,
which makes it possible to mount a plurality of articles in the
retaining clip 1 simultaneously without the retaining clip 1 being
substantially spread, with the result that the fastening of a
plurality of articles is enabled in a simple manner.
* * * * *